h century
Var[=a]hamihira recognizes both the brothers.]

[Footnote 92: Edkins, cited by Mueller, _India_, p. 286.]

[Footnote 93: Weber, _Janm[=a][s.][t.]am[=i]_, pp. 259, 318.
Weber describes in full the cult of the "Madonna with the
Child," according to the Pur[=a]nas.]

[Footnote 94: On the subsequent deification of the Pandus
themselves see 1A. VII. 127.]

[Footnote 95: Hence the similarity with Herakles, with whom
Megasthenes identifies him. The man-lion and hero-forms are
taken to rid earth of monsters.]

[Footnote 96: Greek influence is clearly reflected in
India's architecture. Hellenic bas-reliefs representing
Bacchic scenes and the love-god are occasionally found.
Compare the description of Civa's temple in Orissa, Weber,
_Literature_, p. 368; _Berl. Ak._, 1890, p, 912. Civa is
here associated with the Greek cult of Eros and Aphrodite.]

* * * * *

CHAPTER XVII.

MODERN HINDU SECTS.[1]

Although the faith of India seems to have completed a circle, landing
at last in a polytheism as gross as was that of the Vedic age, yet is
this a delusive aspect, as will appear if one survey the course of the
higher intellectual life of the people, ignoring, as is right, the
invariable factor introduced by the base imaginings of the vulgar. The
greater spirituality has always expressed itself in independent
movement, and voiced itself in terms of revolution. But in reality
each change has been one of evolution. To trace back to the Vedic
period the origin of Hindu sectarianism would, indeed, be a nice task
for a fine scholar, but it would not be temerarious to attempt it. We
have failed of our purpose if we have not already impressed upon the
reader's mind the truth that the progress of Brahmanic theology (in
distinction from demonology) has been one journey, made with rests and
halts, it is true, and even with digressions from the straight path;
but without abatement of intent, and without permanent change of
direction. Nor can one judge otherwise even when he stands before so
humiliating an exhibition of groundling bigotry as is presented by
some of the religious sects of the present day. The world of lower
organisms survives the ascent of the higher. There is always
undergrowth; but before the fall of a great tree its seeds sprout,
withal in the very soil of the weedy thicket below. So out of